Improvement in the manufacture of artificial marble



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Cross Reference ice. conPdsmbns, X3 m iner comma on PLASTIC i use of a solution of sul ity of the marble UNITED STATES PATENT omen GEORGE A. FREAR, or eHIcAeo, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN TI -IE MANUFACTURE OF AR TlFlC| AL NlAR BLE.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 106,263, dated August 9, 1870.

To all whom it may concern Be. it known that I, GEORGE A. FREAR, of Chicago, in the county-of Cook aud'State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in the Production of Artificial Marble, of which the following is a specification:

The nature of my invention consists in the phate of zinc, chloride of zinc, sugar 0 ead, and pulverized alum or rock-salt, one or both, in suitable proportions, dissolved in water, for the purpose of cementing together and uniting particles of silex, alumina, calcium, or other kindred substances taken singly or in combination, to produce a hard and durable artificial marblefor useful and ornamental purposes, and also imitations of all kinds and varieties of natural marbles. The solution for moistening the compound is best obtained by taking from two to four ounces of pp, from two to four sulphate of 2 ounces of 0 Ion e of 2 no from two to four ounces 0 spgag o eel from two to four ounces of p'ulverize app; r four Iounceslpf rock-salt, either or hot 1 an disso ving t e same 111 one gallon of hot or warm rain-water but the proportions of each Ingredient may be still further varied, not only according tothe strength and quality thereof, but also for the purpose of varying the character and qualproduced therewith. The character'of water used may also be changed where rain-water cannot be procured in sufficient quantity. I p To produce a firm and durable marble impervious t'o moisture,,I dampen with the foregoing solution a mixture of about one part of marble-cementCIih 'draulic cement, one part of groun s1 ex, 0m, and onetnth of one part of sum and form the same into a pasty mafs s o f'iffdut the consistency of mofiai ffifidihen run the same into suitable molds. The composition will rapidly set and hfi'd'eil in the molds, and in eight or ten hours may be removed and laid out on boards exposed to the air to thoroughly dry aud'harden. It is advantageous and preferable to comg ress the composition in the molds either by amping or by suitable machinery, although this is not essential, and a good hard stone is produced without it.

By adding suitable colorin matters to the composition when it is in its plastic state, or to the solution with which it is moistened, as described, beautiful imitations of all varieties of marbles may be readily obtained.

The composition will rapidly harden when removed from the molds, and is in a few days ready for polishing.

The artificial marble for use in its rough st more finished article, the face or surface th thus obtained is ready Iate; but to produce a contemplate washin M ereof, one or two dag after it has been molded, as described my zipg ol uti op, repeating the washing two or three days in succession,- and at the same time filling up any small cavities or defects caused y m T133138? fitlfison erit iemiau e composing the stone, made thin enough to be applied with a brush, all excess of the material being scraped off before it hardens. The marble thus treated may bepolished after it has hardened for two or three days.

To produce a fine polish and brilliant finish upon the surface of my artificial marble, Ifirst rub the surface down after it has thoroughly hardened with a chunk or block of pumice: stone sprinkled with water and ground pumice-stone, and after cleaning off the surface with care let it stand in the sun or in a warm room two or three hours. I then rub it down with a smooth oil-stone or hone, and again allow it to stand two or thre I next'rub the smooth surface thus produced with a mixture of one part of olive-oil and two parts of gum-shellac, and when dry coat it over with a thin coat'of copal varnish, and place it in a hot kiln, and ex for ten hours. I next rub it d ground pumice-stone, wipe it finally rub it up with putty, varnish, or with white wax dissolved in benzine, (one-fourth pound of wax in one quart of benzine,) upon an old felt or woolen cloth until a beautiful and brilliant gloss is obtained.

own again with off carefully, and

Instead of using a mixture of cement and 'silex to produce an artificial zinc solution, as described ing a paste or com marble with my I contemplate makgvpsum, man an ,or any 0 er eartliy or mineral su stance sulta e or e purpose,

e hours, ,as before.

pose it to the heat position by moistening with my said solution either silex, cla lime, chalk,

coniTflnail'oT s To any two or more of said subalone and unmixed, as well as in mixtures or;

sizmzqflfi the purpose of molding the same into suitable forms and shapes by percussion or otherwise, as described.

Through a proper choice and selection of the silex, &c., forming the solid basis of my improved artificial marble, and by the use of proper coloring matter in connection therewith, every description of natural marble may be imitated, and endless varieties obtained at pleasure.

I reserve the right to vary somewhat the proportions ofthe several ingredients named, as well as the details of the manufacture, without impairing my right and title to an exclusive use thereof for the purposes specified by virtue of my said invention.

I claim as my inventionforth.

The foregoing specification of my improvement in artificial marbles signed by me this 11th day of July, 1870.

- GEO. A. FREAR.

In the presence of-- CALVIN DEWOLF, GEo. A. FOLLANSBEE. 

